The Order of the Dark Flame: Book 5. (story, no spam)

Gwalchmai · Post by **Gwalchmai** » Tue Mar 26, 2002 4:34 pm

With a great pump of its skeletal wings, the Dracolich lifted itself over the heads of the bipeds to land directly in their midst. With a roar and a last flap of one wing, it buffeted a number of the bipeds, who were forced back against the walls by the great wind. Angorroc was pleased to see that the biped who had been shooting flaming arrows was among those reeling from the wing buffet.

Using his foreleg he knocked the arrow off, which had lodged like a small, smoldering dart between his eyes. This irritated him, so he circled around the tower and said a few mystical words in Draconic to protect himself from missiles and magical weapons. He would save his spell sequencer for when he chose to truly engage the enemy.

Angorroc glanced again at the Dracolich, and saw that it was menacing several of the warriors with its horny tail while placing several protections around itself as well. Angorroc’s mate, he could see, also shimmered with a globe of mystical energy, granting her invulnerability. That would protect her from any more of those irritating fire seeds. Her safety was his main concern, and he allowed himself a moment of relief.

Zaraxia, for her part, circled the tower admiring the glittering armors and swords these bipeds carried. Perhaps it would be profitable to kill these insects and collect the pretty baubles for the lair? The cleric lich that prevented them from returning to their plane probably prefers the goody bipeds dead, anyway. With that in mind, she chose to ignore her mate’s earlier advice to stay back from the battle and let the accursed Dracolich take the brunt. What harm could it be to cast a simple spell to mix things up a bit, anyway? Besides, she still smarted from a fire seed that had surprised her. Decided, she phrased the incantation for Chain Lightning, and unleashed the bolt at the warrior with the brightest armor.

Aegis · Post by **Aegis** » Tue Mar 26, 2002 4:41 pm

Nippy's call rang clear in the rangers head, and an idea instantly flickered into his mind. He loosed another flaming arrow, again driving it into the thick skull of one of the shadow dragons, further enraging it. He had just the item for it. His bow, though no descript and ordinary looking, was in fact one with a powerful enchantment. Nothing overly special, or useful, Aegis had always thought, but he had never thought he would encounter a dragon. He notched another arrow into the bow. Then, murmering silent words, he activated the magic of the weapon. He then took aim, but not for a vital part of any of the dragons, but rather their wings. He loosed the arrow. As the the others, who had had the spare moment, watch the arrow soar, they shook their heads with dismay as they saw it's course. Onlookers were quickly stunned when the realized the truth of the matter. The arrow suddenly grew in size, almost four times it's orginal size, and almost to that of a small spear.

The arrow hurtled forward, a bolt of wood and metal. The intended target swirded, and veered tightly in the air, but the bulky dragon was not fast enough to dodge the deadly shaft. The arrow struck the thin, soft leather of the wing, puncturing it. The dragon reared back, sheirking in horrible pain. It was still airborne, but now it was truly enraged. It turned it's acidic breath down upon the obtrusive ranger. Taking a deep breath, it then breathed the deadly venom towards Aegis. Aegis barely moved in time. He leapt to the side, the dragon breath licking the side of his face. He hit the ground hard, knocking the wind out of him. He cringed tightly, curled up in the fetal position, fighting back the pain. He finally shook himself free of it, and looked back up to the dragon that had attacked him. It was now being pestered by the arrows of Mysteria, trying valiantly to give Aegis some time to recover.

Aegis stood back up, his legs shaking with the stress and pain. He didn't yet know it, but the entire left side of his face had been burned horribly by the dragon's breath. The once fair elven skin was now marred, and blisters had formed. He had no clue. though it retained a resembelance, it would never be the delicate features they once were. He raised his bow again, and prepared to attack again.

Mysteria · Post by **Mysteria** » Wed Mar 27, 2002 2:08 pm

Dragons! They were facing dragons! Mysteria stood frozen in place, unable to think clearly. Her mind was totally disconnected from her body, her thoughts reeling as she realized the extent of the menace.

Three dragons! Two shadowy ones, but she almost directly dismissed them, focusing on the horror of the Dracolich. He was undead, something screamed at her in the back of her mind. She'd always loathed, no hated undead.

The billowing cloud of acid unleashed by the two dragons shook her out of her thoughts and she barely avoided being caught by it. For a moment, fear hit her, but then she took heart at Dragon Wench's spell hit her and suddenly moved twice as fast as the next spell took hold, then she was thrown back against the rampart by the wing buffeting, but quickly jumped back onto her feet again.

Cursing, she aimed at the Dracolich, using one of her special arrows impregnated with holy water. As her arrow dissipated harmlessly before hitting, she realized that the Dracolich was already protected.

Suddenly, she became aware of one of the other dragons again, now viciously attacking Aegis. She winced inwardly as she caught sight of him, but there was no time for this now. Quickly, she shot one arrow after the next at the dargon, aiming for the wings as those seemed to be the most vulnerable part.

She smiled satisfied as she saw her arrows rip holes into the dragon's wings, a tiny part of her surprised that they did any damage at all. She felt the magic swirling around her, was it...? Better not think too much, lest it go wrong, she thought at kept firing. Presently, the Dragon took aim at her, flying straight towards her.

Jumping upon the battlement, Mysteria took her chance... The dragon veered nearer and nearer, his mouth opening slowly, but Mysteria focused on his eye alone ... NOW!

Just before another billoing cloud of acid was spewn forth, she fired her arrow at the evil eye.

Throwing herself down from the battlement and onto the tower's top to escape the acid now unleashed, she grinned as she heard the dragon scream as her arrow buried itself deep into it's eye, blinding him.

Taking cover as well as she could, she was looking for another target when arcs of blinding energy struck down ....

Yshania · Post by **Yshania** » Thu Mar 28, 2002 8:31 am

Yshania, her hand now empty of the burning orbs, cast Improved Invisibility on herself. She began to move among her group of friends, touching each in turn and sharing her protection spells as evenly and sensitively as she could. All receieved Resist Fire and Cold, to those in leather armour she bestowed barkskin, to those in splint and plate, Protection from Lightning. To those in melee, she gave Protection from Fire and Negative Plane Protection, for those who she was sure would not be compromised, she cast Magic Resistance...

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Thu Mar 28, 2002 11:06 am

Against a blackened sky gold and purple tendrils silhouetted great smouldering clouds.......each was edged with a fine tracery of brilliant, glimmering light........the sun's final offering before it finally descended below a shadowed horizon.

Gwally, although acutely aware of the daunting menace the dragons posed, stood in awe at this fiery spectacle presented by the symetrical forces of dark and light. Inspired, he began to focus on the ritual.......

Catching her breath at this juxtaposition between treacherous beauty and unnatural peril, Dragon Wench once again concentrated on her repertoire of spells. She observed the dracolich; despite the magic of Aegis's arrow, the beast now appeared unaffected by its injuries, and Dragon Wench shuddered at the sheer evil that emanated from the glinting, slitted eyes.

Not entirely sure what would work against such a beast, she finally settled on a Lower Resistance spell, and with more confidence than she actually felt, Dragon Wench aimed her incantation at the skeletal form looming from the ramparts. Each wingbeat, each poisonous cloud.....simultaneously taunting their valient struggle and amplifying the mortal frailty that was their lot.

Bloodstalker · Post by **Bloodstalker** » Thu Mar 28, 2002 11:40 am

Bloodstalker stared at the dragon, his mind racing as fast as his heart was beating. Never before had he confronted anything so awe inspiring, and his reactions had slowed as a result. His friends were in combat, and Aegis had taken severe blow, and still he was at a loss as to what to do. He had no bow, and doubted whether his daggers would even amount to an irritation to the beast. Then he felt a touch, the chill of magic working on him. Curiously, in this instance he welcomed the feel. His insides tightened, and the pressure built inside him, snapping him out of his momentary lapse of action. He would much rather face the dragon than whatever had touched him.

He unsheathed Striker, and immediately felt more at ease. His sole companion in many battles, Striker had never let him down before. The enchantments in the blade had helped him vanquish many foes, piecing through the spell protections of mages and striking true when they thought they had been safest. It comforted him, and made him feel more confident. Still, he had to be in range to strike, and until the beast left the air, he would be of little use.

Or would he? An idea began to form in the back of his mind. At the least, he could disrtact the dragons attention from his companions. He would have to be quick, to engage the dragons attention, make it concentrate on him, giving his companions the time they needed to bring it down. Then, once the opportunity appeared, he would have to act swiftly.

He wondered for a moment if what he was contemplating amounted to no more than suicide. Then a slow grin played across his features. A man lived, and a man died, but if he was to die, it would be in battle, not chained like a dog. The northern blood began to fire through his veins. He had been born a warrior, only to lose that to the chamber. Now he uttered the name he had not spoken in many years. A cry he remembered from his earliest childhood. Raising his voice to Tempos, he sprinted forward, loosing one of his daggers to catch the Dragons hindquarter as it flew near. He was rewarded with the beast tuning it's head to him, momentarily giving the others a moment to breathe. The neck sprang forward, and BS barely rolled out of the way of the reaching jaws coming up with a smile.

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Thu Mar 28, 2002 12:43 pm

Somewhat unsure of the efficacy of her Lower Resistance spell, Dragon Wench, crouching behind a large pile of debris, again muttered the words to an incantatiion, this time, "Breach." A surge of energy arched towards the dracolich, and before the monster realised what had hit it another blast of magic, in the form of a second Lower Resistance spell, hurtled forth.

Dragon Wench paused momentarily, and then released a volley of plus three and flame-tipped arrows in the beast's direction, letting up a small prayer that her spells had somewhat lessened the invincibility that this dragon appeared to possess. As the arrows made themselves felt, it roared in rage, and turned its attention towards Dragon's Wench's hiding place. Absolute fury gripping its reptilian brain it moved forward, bent on seeking and destroying the source of its pain.

Yshania · Post by **Yshania** » Thu Mar 28, 2002 2:13 pm

The skeletal torso of the dracolich became encased in an iridescent blue sphere, a sign that it's resistances were decreased. Yshania took advantage, casting Insect Plague, the swarm leapt from her finger tips and became an instant angry cloud, biting and distracting. Another mutter, and her hands pulsed with a controlled energy...taking a deep breath, she approached the dracolich and placed her fingertips on it's dried and rotten hide...she felt the energy release in a powerful wave, the dracolich screeched and swung it's tail. Yshania was thrown like a rag doll, almost over the side wall of the ramparts. Scrabbling back over the wall, she lay for a moment on the cold stone, stunned and winded....unable to see her where she lay, the dracolich roared skywards, then arching it's neck it exhaled another acidic attack...

Gwalchmai continued with the ritual....his words faithful, strong and unfaltering, despite the alien words...his voice held steady as he was encouraged by the space this invisibility had allowed him, and the fervour in which his comrades battled the reptilian beasts....

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Thu Mar 28, 2002 2:30 pm

With deep concern, Dragon Wench, pulled a healing potion from her belt and ran to where Yshania lay. Quickly, she passed the bottle to her friend, and directed her focus back to the dracolich.

Still under the effect of her blur spell, Dragon Wench seemed to shimmer in the muted, early evening light. The beast, remembering the agony those arrows had inflicted turned to this puny mortal whose image seemed to constantly shift before his eyes.

He filled his withered lungs and breathed outwards.......emitting a noxious cloud of gas. Dragon Wench, nearly wretching, rolled over, attempting to evade the worst of the attack. Eyes stinging, she raised her head, and with some effort managed to cast Greater Mallison before the effects of the billowing pall rendered her unconscious and utterly vulnerable to the dracolich's fury.........

Yshania · Post by **Yshania** » Thu Mar 28, 2002 2:59 pm

Yshania thankfully took the bottle from Dragon Wench, what inspiration to have the druid conserve her healing spells!...and a potion was much more instantaneous. She quickly unscrewed the top then downed the contents, feeling the warmth of the liquor spread from her solar plexus out. A small frown crossed Yshania's brow....many times had she had reason to cast a healing spell on herself before...but this strange sensation was unlike her own ministrations, her muscles began to twitch in nervous anticipation...she shakily turned the bottle looking for a list of ingredients...but found none. What by the grace of Gods had she consumed? It did taste a little of spinach...and...and....

Realising Dragon Wench's peril, Yshania leapt to her aid...only with little effort she became almost airborne. Loving this sudden - though desperately uncertain - freedom, she majestically drew her scimitars and landed with previously unknown grace afore the dracolich. Plunging her scimitar into it's throat, she felt it's flesh give satisfactorily. Withdrawing her blade from the screeching, thrashing beast, however, she noticed it did not bleed...the only presence of any lifeforce was the dried and crusted remains of Illithid and Umber Hulk.

'By the Gods!!' she cried, stumbling backwards 'how the he...' Her words were cut short, and her recently discovered grace was momentarily lost, as she tripped over the prostrate form of her fighter friend, landing heavily on top of her. Briefly it crossed Yshania's mind that her own invisibility might protect Dragon Wench, but as the dracolich bore menacingly down, she guessed not.

Creating a palm full of Pixie Dust, she cast it up in the air...not for the first time were the fighter and the druid coated in pretty sparklies to distract and run. With the new found strength Dragon Wench's potion had offered (Ysh would have to get the recipe for this one - since in all her years she had never found such a potion that agreed with her sensitive druidic metabolism) Yshania lifted her unconscious friend, and leapt free of the dracolich's ferocious onslaught....

Mysteria · Post by **Mysteria** » Thu Mar 28, 2002 3:47 pm

Watching Bloodstalker's daring stunt, Mysteria grinned, it wasn't easy to aim with only one eye.

As the rest of the group seemed to be dealing with the Dracolich much better than she could, she kept focusing on the Shadow dragon. As he soared back into the air, she called out to Aegis "Can you unleash one more of your special arrows at him? We need to get him grounded if our fighters want to be of any use."

With these words, she aimed another arrow at the beast, perhaps if she could take out the other eye.. no, the dragon would never fall into the same trap twice. Thus, she merely fired at him, puncturing his wings further.

T'lainya · Post by **T'lainya** » Thu Mar 28, 2002 8:14 pm

T’lainya gritted her teeth and began to cast Zone of Sweet Air, hoping desperately that it would clear the suffocating breath of the dragon. The stench of carrion from the dragons was strong, decay lingering in the air and fouling the air even more. The spell took effect, easing the searing pain of her breathing. The priestess looked up to see the sun sinking into the west. She fervently hoped that Gwally would be able to complete the ritual. She thought hard for a moment and cast true sight before the shadow dragons could blend themselves into the growing darkness. She saw Gwally through the spell, and cast a form of the Greater Shield of Lathander spell on him. That should offer some protection she thought to herself. She was still working on the problem of grounding at least one of the dragons when inspiration struck. She turned to the smaller shadow dragon and cast Implosion. The results were spectacular, if dangerous. The dragon roared out, the sound seemed to be muffled and the dragon plummeted to the ground as it momentarily lost control of its wings. It was far from dead, but it was out of the battle for the moment.

Aegis · Post by **Aegis** » Fri Mar 29, 2002 7:48 pm

The Ranger's head was spinning, and his sight dazzled with tiny spots as the pain was swarming his head. He didn't let it bother him, though it was terrible. He ignored it, whether becausssof his adreniline, or something else, it didn't seem to bother him. He took aim with his bow again. Murmering the words to activate it, he let another arrow into the air. It whistled fiercly as it ripped though the air, and again it magically reformed to the size of a small spear. The dragon tried to veer off, but again the arrow was faster. The Dragon screeched with an unholy rage as the magical weapon tore through the fine leathery wing. The Dragon's massive form dipped in the air, and it's wings began to pump harder, trying to stay aloft in the air. As it fought to stay in the air, more arrows came, piercing through thr air, and leathery wings. The dragon couldn't fight gravity with it's wings as punctured as it was. It turned it's body, and began a dive towards the top of the tower and the group, intent on slamming it's body onto the platform before allowing them a chance to reprise.

Obsidian · Post by **Obsidian** » Fri Mar 29, 2002 9:34 pm

Farscape heard the sounds of battle, and he ran for stairs as quickly as possible. Looking out a nearby window, he saw that was the greater threat. A shadow dragon dove straight towards the top of the tower. A collsion such as that would bring it down about thier heads, not to mention killing Aegis and Mysteria. No sprinting for the stair up, he knocked back a potion of speed and went 6 steps at a time, reaching the top just in time to run past the badly burned ranger and leap out into thin air. Drawing Redeemer as he soared past the dragons maw, he used the blade to catch the beasts wing, and as he fell, the wing membrane was cleanly silced by the keen blade. The intense pain of the new wound sent the shadow creature hurtling towards the ground, nursing it's left wing, from which the newly restored holy warrior dangled.
Calling upon his inner strength, Farscape prepared him self for hitting the ground and removed the Redeemer from the dragons wing. Falling 30 feet to the ground, he deftly rolled and watched the beast crash just short of the tower. The noise was incredible, the ground shook and Farscape fell to his feet.
Looking up, he felt, more than heard the bellow of pain and rage, seeing the unpleasent sight of an adult shadow dragon coming for HIM. Powerful as he was, he was no match for it alone, and the other Dark Flames were... occupied. Turning the other direction, Farscape ran, as fast as the haste potion could take him, into the forest, pursued intently by an injured, enraged shadow dragon.
"I'll be back guys, take care" He shouted over his shoulder as he bolted away, sheathing Redeemer to achieve his full speed. Once the haste wore out though, he would be in trouble.

ooc: Help?

Mysteria · Post by **Mysteria** » Sat Mar 30, 2002 6:29 am

As the elf followed her call and the dragon was finally grounded with Farscape's help, Mysteria got a closer look at Aegis and her eyes widened as she realized how bad his injury really was. He seemed to be oblivious to the pain he must feel, but he swayed slightly and he was gripping his bow so hard the knuckles of his hand showed white.

Mysteria cursed once more, of late she seemed to do this a lot, was there really nothing she could do? Unconsciously, her hand dropped to her belt pouch and she suddenly remembered that she was, as always, carrying her whole gear around with her. Perhaps there was something usefull in there.

She quickly went over the contents of her pouch .... a flask of water, some trail rations, a clean piece of cloth, flint and steel, herbs for tea, Winter's Kiss flowers, a piece of soap, some alcohol for disinfecting ... nothing really usefull ... unless...

She crouched behind the battlement and took a closer look ... perhaps the Winter's Kiss flowers, she used them to treat the occasional burn from Snapping Briars and somehow she had the impression that those burns were due to acid too. I any case, the flowers had, if applied correctly, a cooling effect, hence their name.

Quickly, she took out the piece of cloth, drenched it in water and began crushing the flowers onto it. Rubbing fiercely, she soon had the cloth covered in a thick foam that had to be applied to the wound. It would not help much, but at least it should neutralize the acid and cool the wound so it hurt less.

Quickly now, she ran over to Aegis. "Here, take this for your face, it's Winter's Kiss", she told him as she handed it to him, presuming that he would knew what to do but ready to instruct him in the improbable event that he would not.

Obsidian · Post by **Obsidian** » Sat Mar 30, 2002 11:39 am

He'd nearly made it to the edge of the forest when he was cut off by a blast of acid that he narrowly avoided.
"Pesky Creature" growled the dragon. "I will enjoy snapping you like a twig"
Farscape chuckled. "you'd think that wouldn't you." Drawing retribition, he held in front of him. "Lighting Strike!" He shouted and dove for cover as a bolt of electricity struck the shadow beast dead on, the acrid smell of singed scale filling the air. With the time this bought him, he took off running again, deeper into the forest.
The trees behind him were shattered beneath the great lizards fury.

Nippy · Post by **Nippy** » Mon Apr 01, 2002 3:10 pm

The massive noise that resulted from a vicious fall of a dragon spurred Nippy into action. The Dracolich had lost interest in him, petty rocks made no difference to him but a Dragon on the ground could be fought. He called Bloodstalker from a fighting posture.

"How about we go fight something that we can reach Blood? I spy me a Dragon!" Nippy grinned and pointed at the fallen and dazed Dragon.

Blood grinned and nodded at Nippy. They ran down one of the many staircases on the roof and faced the Dragon, it was still incapacitated but was beginning to rouse from it's nasty fall.

"Well my friend, to battle and honour!" Nippy gripped Bloodstalker's forearm and nodded.

"One question though, how do you want to fight this thing?"

OOC: I hope you don't mind BS, but we need to get in the fight!

@ Everyone, sorry I haven't written in a little while, I've been in Newcastle...

Aegis · Post by **Aegis** » Tue Apr 02, 2002 10:40 am

Aegis switched targets swiftly, after gaining the brief repreive from the dragon that had attcked him. His aim went towards the female dragon that was now chasing dow Farscape. Steading his aim, and activating his weapon's magic, he launched another arrow into the air. It went screaming towards the dragon. The female, though, was oblivious to the attack, intent on chasing down the one who had hurt the male. The aroow sped towards the massive black form, and drove itself deep into the form of the dragon. It didn't flinch, the rage had taken over her sense of reason. She didn't care that a massive spear had just embedded itself into her flank, and continued to pursue Farscape. Aegis prepped another arrow.

Bloodstalker · Post by **Bloodstalker** » Tue Apr 02, 2002 11:08 am

Looking at the dragon beginning to stir, BS started to grin. Finally, something he could close with. It crossed his mind whether he was crazy or not at feeling relief over being able to attack a full grown dragon. he decided not to worry to much about it at the moment.

Looking at Nippy, he cracked a smile,"You mean you don't have a plan already?". he answed the paladin's question, his eyes dancing with the thrill of battle. A thrill fueled by his northern blood.

The dragon was regaining it's bearings, and it would not be long before it's full attention would be brought to bear again. As it was, they had the small advantage of facing a slightly disoriented dragon.

"I would suggest whatever we do, we do it while the thing is still hurting. There are two of us, so it can't focuse it's attention on both of us at once. We should come in from opposite sides...."

Sounds good to me, then what?" asked Nippy.

"Your a paladin, I'd say praying would be a good idea" BS grinned as he started to circle to the right of the grounded beast.

Obsidian · Post by **Obsidian** » Tue Apr 02, 2002 11:25 am

He was pretty far from the keep now, not that finding his way back would be a problem after the trail of destruction the Shadow dragon was leaving. Hearing a loud thud, he risked a glimpse back to see a large bolt sticking out of the beasts flank. He hadn't been aware of a ballista being stationed on the keep.
Fortunately, or unfortunately, his plan had worked, leaving the male dragon injured and the female one was chasing him, well, that wasn't part of the plan. Another benefit is that she hadn't taken to the air yet to pursue him. She probably couldn't now that there was a large arrow stuck in her side now.
If he kept running however, he would soon be out of range for any possible help. He stopped at random, nowhere in this forest would he have an advantage of the beast. He took the time to call upon every strength enhancement he could. He hardened himself against physical damage and magic, drew strength from holies, and cleared his mind of any distraction. He awaited the Dragon.
Farscape did not wait long. He heard the beast before he saw it. She had apperently been slowed by the bolt in her side, which had given Farscape time to prepare. As the Shadow Dragon came around the corner, he launched his attack with everything he had.
Redeemer and Retribution flashed around the beast, finding their mark as often as not, biting deep into the creatures flanks.
"Pathetic manling! You are dead, DEAD!" screamed the dragon as she swept her massive wings, sending trees, shrubs and paladins soaring through the air. Farscape was lifted clear from the ground, and sent sprawling through the air and large pieces of lumber. Wood broke and shattered as he was sent bodily through it. His armour protected him from the worst of it, but he was still winded badly. Coming to his feet a good 20 yards away from the dragon.
"this is going to be tough" he gasped.